Commode

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a commode comprising: a frame, a seat-shell that rests on the frame, and a pan cover wherein in use a disposable pan rests on the seat shell. Commodes of the invention have one or more of the following features: they are portable, robust, easy and quick to clean, are simple and easy to manufacture and store. They have relatively few parts to assist in manufacture, repair, and cleaning. They are easy and comfortable to use and, as far as possible, preserve the users&#39; dignity.

The invention relates to an improved commode for defecation and urination which is easy to clean, store and manoeuvre and which reduces the risk of infections being transferred from one user to the next.

Typically a commode is shaped like a chair and is wheeled to a patient's bedside, the patient sits on the commode and urinates or defecates into the commode at the bedside. Bedside curtains are drawn to maintain the patient's privacy and dignity. Alternatively the commode is wheeled to the patient's bedside, where the patient transfers to the commode. The patient is then wheeled to a normal toilet and the commode deployed over the toilet. The patient then urinates or defecates into the toilet. The patient is then wheeled back to their bed and returned to bed.

After either function, the commode is taken back to a ‘sluice room’ for cleaning where it is cleaned in preparation for the next use.

As a single commode may be shared by several patients it needs to be cleaned quickly, easily, efficiently and effectively between users to minimise the risk of the spread of disease from one user to another. However as commodes are in constant use, the time available for cleaning can be limited—as can the space available for cleaning complex and cumbersome commodes

Current commodes used within hospital and domestic settings have not been designed with Health Care Associated Infections (HCAIs) such as MRSA, C. difficile, E. coli etc in mind. As a result they are made up of numerous parts, clips, hinges etc which make efficient cleaning and disinfection problematic.

Accordingly, vulnerable patients who may be at increased risk of acquiring HCAIs may be exposed to significant risk of infection when using poorly maintained or designed commodes, or those which have not been adequately or effectively cleaned and disinfected.

It is an object of the present invention to provide commodes which have one or more of the following features: they are portable, robust, easy and quick to clean, are simple and easy to manufacture and store. They have relatively few parts to assist in manufacture, repair, and cleaning. They are easy and comfortable to use and, as far as possible, preserve the users' dignity.

Furthermore the commodes of the present invention can be stored and cleaned even where the space available for storage or cleaning is limited.

In a first aspect the invention relates to a commode comprising: a frame, a seat shell that rests on the frame, and a pan cover wherein in use a disposable pan rests on the seat shell.

In another aspect the invention relates to a commode wherein the seat shell can be readily detached from the frame for cleaning and/or storage.

In another aspect the invention relates to a commode wherein in use the open edge of the disposable pan rests on top of the edge of an aperture in the seat shell.

In another aspect the invention relates to a commode wherein the frame is fitted with wheels.

In another aspect the invention relates to a commode wherein the frame is fitted with one or more arm rests.

In another aspect the invention relates to a commode wherein the one or more arm rest can be rotated.

In another aspect the invention relates to a commode wherein the frame is fitted with one or more foot rests.

In another aspect the invention relates to a commode wherein the one or more foot rest can be rotated.

In another aspect the invention relates to a commode wherein the frame is fitted with one or more handles for moving the commode into position.

In another aspect the invention relates to a commode wherein two or more frames can be nested into one another for easy storage.

In another aspect the invention relates to a commode wherein two or more seat shells can be stacked on top of one another for easy storage.

In another aspect the invention relates to a commode wherein the frame is formed from stainless steel or like material.

In another aspect the invention relates to a commode wherein the seat shell is formed from polypropylene or like material.

In another aspect the invention relates to a commode wherein the seat pan has an open position for use and a closed position for covering the disposable pan after use.

In another aspect the invention relates to a commode wherein the seat pan hangs on a hook on the rear of the seat shell in the open position.

In another aspect the invention relates to a commode wherein one or more rails are provided to support a disposable bed pan.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1: shows a schematic representation of a commode of the present invention

FIG. 2: shows a partially exploded view of a commode of the present invention Showing how the seat shell and arm rests can be detached from the frame

FIG. 3: is an exploded view of a commode of the present invention showing each of the key component parts

FIG. 4: show a schematic representation of four frames stacked together for easy storage.

FIG. 5: show a schematic representation of three seat shells stacked together for easy storage

FIG. 6: shows a schematic representation of a commode of the present invention viewed from the rear

FIG. 7: shows a schematic representation of a commode of an embodiment of the present invention in which the seat pan in the open position is hung from a hook on the rear of the commode.

FIG. 8: shows a schematic representation of a commode of an embodiment of the present invention in which the seat pan is in the closed position in which the seat pan sits on the shell and covers the disposable pan.

FIG. 9: shows a schematic representation of a commode of an embodiment of the present invention in which rails are provided to receive the disposable seat pan.

FIG. 10: shows a schematic representation of a commode of an embodiment of the present invention in which a bed pan sits in the aperture 6.

Commodes according to the present invention have few parts, and the number of junctions between the parts is minimized. This allows cleaning staff to access all parts of the product as quickly and easily as possible and minimizes the potential for germs to gather on the product.

The commodes of the present invention are constructed using materials that are resistant to, and are not corroded by, the cleaning fluids commonly used to tackle HCAIs.

With reference to FIG. 1 the commode of the present invention comprises a frame 1 preferably the frame is formed from stainless steel, aluminium or like material.

A seat-shell 2 rests on the frame. Preferably the seat-shell is formed from a moulded plastic such as polypropylene or like material. Preferably the material is a self-finished plastic to avoid the need for paint finishes or lacquers which can scratch, degrade or corrode. Preferably the material is strong, light-weight, cheap and easy to manufacture, and is easy to clean. Preferably the material can be autoclaved for efficient disinfection and cleaning.

The frame 1 is provided with a handle 3 to allow the carer to move the commode into position.

The frame 1 is provided with wheels to allow the carer to move the commode into position. Optionally one or more of the wheels is fitted with a braking mechanism to ensure the commode does not move when the user is moving on and off the commode or during use.

One or more arm rests 4 are provided to make the commode more comfortable in use especially when users are being wheeled to the toilet on the commode. Optionally the one or more arm rests can be rotated as shown in FIG. 8 to enable the user to access the commode more easily from the side, that is to say when they are being transferred from a bed or chair to the commode.

The armrests can also be used to allow users to push themselves out of a sitting position and lower themselves into the seat.

One or more foot rests 5 are provided to make the commode more comfortable in use especially when users are being wheeled to the toilet on the commode. Optionally the one or more foot rests can be rotated as shown in FIG. 4 to enable the user to access the commode more easily.

An aperture 6 is provided in the seat-shell.

In use the commode is used to transport the user to a normal toilet. The commode is positioned over the toilet and the user then urinates or defecates into the toilet.

In an alternative use a disposable pan is positioned in the aperture 6 such that the outer edge of the pan rests on the edges of the aperture 6. The pan is inserted into aperture 6 from the top, and sits neatly into the seat aperture. This has the advantage of isolating all waste within the pan and minimises the chance of waste transferring onto the underside of the product.

Preferably the disposable pan is a paper pulp pan.

In an alternative embodiment as shown in FIG. 9 one or more rail 9 may be provided on the underside of the seat shell to receive alternative third party pan products such as bed pans.

A seat lid 7 is provided that has an open position and a closed position. In the closed position the seat-shell covers the pan as shown in FIG. 8. In one embodiment in the open position the seat pan is hung on the rear of the frame using hook 8 as shown in FIG. 7.

The separation of the parts isolates the patient interface to a single high gloss plastic surface and allows the structure of the product to be provided by the stainless steel frame. As shown in FIG. 2 the seat-shell 2 can be readily detached from the frame 1 for cleaning. The seat-shell is simply lifted off the frame and can be easily turned over and put in a sink or autoclave for cleaning.

The frame is also easy to clean once the seat-shell has been removed.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 both the seat-shell can be stacked and the frame parts nest together for storage when not in use.

The separation of the parts means if one part is damaged only that part needs to be replaced, thus keeping the products in service for longer.

There are relatively few “touch points” between the user and the commode to minimize unnecessary contact between the user and the commode. Thus reducing the risk of cross contamination between the user and the commode.

In an alternative embodiment the commode can be provided as a static product. ie one that does not have wheels. In this case it would be intended to be used primarily for one patient at their bedside, or within domestic settings or nursing homes. In this embodiment it may be desirable to omit one or more of the footrests or armrests to make it easier for the user to move on to and off the commode. In this embodiment it may also be desirable to modify or omit the handle 3 since it would not be needed to move the commode from one place to another.

In this embodiment when it is not intended to use the commode in conjunction with a conventional toilet it may be desirable to lower the seat height to make it easier for the user to move on to and off the commode. 

1. A commode comprising: a frame, a seat shell that rests on the frame, and a pan cover wherein in use a disposable pan rests on the seat shell.
 2. A commode as claimed in claim 1 wherein the seat shell can be readily detached from the frame for cleaning and/or storage.
 3. A commode as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein in use the open edge of the disposable pan rests on top of the edge of an aperture in the seat shell.
 4. A commode as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the frame is fitted with wheels.
 5. A commode as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the frame is fitted with one or more arm rests.
 6. A commode as claimed in claim 5 wherein the one or more arm rest can be rotated.
 7. A commode as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the frame is fitted with one or more foot rests.
 8. A commode as claimed in claim 7 wherein the one or more foot rest can be rotated.
 9. A commode as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the frame is fitted with one or more handles for moving the commode into position.
 10. A commode as claimed in any preceding claim wherein two or more frames can be nested into one another for easy storage.
 11. A commode as claimed in any preceding claim wherein two or more seat shells can be stacked on top of one another for easy storage.
 12. A commode as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the frame is formed from stainless steel or like material.
 13. A commode as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the seat shell is formed from polypropylene or like material.
 14. A commode as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the seat pan has an open position for use and a closed position for covering the disposable pan after use.
 15. A commode as claimed in claim 14 wherein the seat pan hangs on a hook on the rear of the seat shell in the open position.
 16. A commode as claimed in any preceding claim wherein one or more rails are provided to support the disposable seat pan. 